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Logistics group DHL is suspending some parcel deliveries to the US from Monday because it struggles to deal with the additional prices and paperwork from new customs guidelines.
From April 5, US Customs and Border Safety has required items value greater than $800 coming into the nation to bear extra stringent customs checks and be accompanied by further documentation.
DHL stated that it was working to extend its clearance capability however that, given the “substantial” adjustments, business-to-consumer parcels value greater than $800 from anyplace on the earth to the US could face multi-day delays. Modifications should not anticipated to business-to-business shipments however there might be delays.
“To keep up the high-quality service dedication of DHL Specific to its clients, beginning Monday, April 21 2025, and till additional discover, DHL Specific will quickly droop [business-to-consumer] shipments to non-public people within the US whose declared worth exceeds $800,” the corporate stated in an announcement.
Germany’s DHL is the primary main industrial logistics firm to take motion on account of new US tariffs, lots of which got here into impact on April 5.
John Manners Bell, chief govt of consultancy TI Perception, stated it “might be an indication that the worldwide buying and selling system is beginning to break”.
“This might turn out to be a serious development as postal places of work and industrial carriers battle to deal with the burden of tariffs and bureaucratic burdens positioned on them,” he stated. “The adjustments may have actual implications for the worldwide ecommerce business, affecting many tens of millions of parcels that circulate each day to US importers, inevitably elevating prices for US shoppers.”
DHL’s determination, which was first reported by the Sunday Occasions, follows the announcement by state-owned Hongkong Publish this week that it could cease accepting packages to be despatched to the US by sea with fast impact and cease taking airborne packages from April 27 on account of the brand new US necessities. The corporate accused the US of “bullying and imposing tariffs abusively”.
Manners Bell stated: “The tariffs and commerce processes concerned within the customs clearance course of are enjoying havoc with provide chain methods and this can inevitably lead to further prices and shortages for American companies and shoppers.”
A commerce conflict between the world’s two largest economies is intensifying, with US President Donald Trump imposing tariffs totalling 145 per cent on China, which has responded with tariffs of 125 per cent on the US.
DHL is likely one of the world’s greatest courier corporations, delivering 1.5bn parcels a 12 months. It employs almost 600,000 individuals and operates in 220 nations. Final 12 months, its gross sales exceeded €84bn.
